Sangamon/Menard Area Regional Transit and the Sangamon Mass Transit District announced that Chatham area residents will soon be able to travel via SMTD’s new Chatham to Springfield fixed route service, and those in more rural areas will be served by SMART. SMART, currently operating between Menard and Sangamon Counties, will now operate in the dozens of rural communities throughout Sangamon County outside of Springfield, Chatham, Riverton, Rochester, Sherman and Spaulding.
“SMTD is excited to offer direct service to Chatham residents beginning September 17th,” said Steve Schoeffel, SMTD service planning & marketing specialist. “The Springfield area, including Chatham, is full of people that have lived in more transit-oriented communities. We’re hoping access to better public transportation will provide similar benefits for residents who want to get to work, appointments or shop. This Chatham route is designed to get people from Chatham to key employers at the Capitol and Medical District as quickly as possible, avoiding parking fees and the stress of driving in traffic to encourage commuting.”
Kickoff events are also being planned for Chatham, Rochester and Sherman in the weeks leading up to the launch date of Monday, September 17th for both SMART and SMTD services. Residents interested in the service can visit the SMART or SMTD websites and look for the “Which Provider Should I Use?” link. Then, follow the instructions for “Find address or place” to see which provider covers their area.
“SMART is door-to-door service set by appointment for anyone living in the rural areas of the county not in SMTD’s district or the urbanized area,” said Kate Downing, director of SMART. “For the Chatham area, we’re excited to now get to serve communities like Auburn, Divernon, Glenarm and Pawnee within Sangamon County.”
Fare for SMART is $2.00/ride within the county and $3.00/ride between Sangamon and Menard Counties. Fare for SMTD rides is $ 1.25/ride and passengers must either use a pass or pay with exact change. Drivers are not equipped to make change. Discounts for seniors, children and disabled passengers are available.
